Saturday 26 November 2016

LIVING THE VALUES: THE ACHIMOTA EXAMPLE

When the curtains came down on proceedings in the assembly hall of the St John's Grammar Senior High school on 18th November 2016, it was very evident that our first volunteerism program had been a great success.

At a branch meeting one Monday morning in July, the Achimota team deliberated on ways to make an impact in the environs of the branch.  That was how the project which was later dubbed Month of Volunteerism was birthed. 

Being the first of its kind in the Ghana subsidiary, the team wondered if they could pull off such a program. 

However after careful analysis of the environment, the general consensus was to partner with the students and staff members of Saint John's Grammar Secondary school for a mentoring and career guidance program

And boy, what an experience it turned out to be!

After weeks of planning, and contacting school authorities as well as seeking management approval, all was set to hit the road with the program. 

Branch members dedicated 30 minutes of their work schedule every Friday. The team also contributed cash and with support by Ghana First National Bank Exco, bought books for the school library which was in dire need.

Over the course of three Fridays, branch members met the students of the school for mentoring sessions where bank staff shared personal career life experiences in the topic: Building A Solid Foundation Towards Your Future Aspirations.

Team Achimota
Presentation of books to school library



Support from management was massive in making the entire event a success. Officials from Operations, Human Resources and Trade,  made time to be a part and they added more pomp and dignity to the event.
Bank Staff

Section of students of St John's Grammar

L-R, Patrick, Judith, Richard
,, 



Araba giving her nuggets of wisdom





If the broad smiles which were ever present on the faces of the students and staff members of the school are anything to go by, then it was evident that this being a first time, the month of volunteerism has been such an amazing success. Any wonder that the headmistress asked that it be made a yearly event between school and branch? 

Certainly, this will go down in the annals of Saint John's Grammar school as the first time a corporate institution has reached out to them. 

And once again, Team Achimota has established itself further as the flagship branch. Not only in sales and service quality, but also as a branch which is indeed living the First National values and making a positive impact in the community 


And in the words of John Wesley "Do all the good you can,  by all the means you can,  in all the ways you can,  in all the places you can,  at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. "
A cross section of the students 

Saturday 30 July 2016

POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.
Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.
Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 
Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES
These are true stories shared with me.
Story 1 Male.
Sunday morning I'm in church.
Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor
Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!
I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.
Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.
The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,
I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 
I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.
He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 
Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 
But it did the job. Smh.
Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.
So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.


I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.
Man looked up from the book he was reading.
And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."
"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"
"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"
I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.
My phone rings.
Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?
Me: Which pill?
Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.
Me: Oh, Postinor 2.
Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..
30 minutes phone rings again.
Him: Charley how dem for take am again?
Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.
Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!
Me: Oh why?
Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.
Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.

And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.
Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.
The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.
My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me
I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.
Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.


Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.

I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.
Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.
Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.
Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 
Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES
These are true stories shared with me.
Story 1 Male.
Sunday morning I'm in church.
Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor
Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!
I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.
Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.
The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,
I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 
I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.
He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 
Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 
But it did the job. Smh.
Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.
So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.
I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.
Man looked up from the book he was reading.
And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."
"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"
"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"
I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.
My phone rings.
Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?
Me: Which pill?
Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.
Me: Oh, Postinor 2.
Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..
30 minutes phone rings again.
Him: Charley how dem for take am again?
Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.
Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!
Me: Oh why?
Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.
Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.
And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.
Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.
The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.
My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me
I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.
Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.

Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.
I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.
Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

Sunday 7 February 2016

Retirement: An ode to my favorite pair of shoes

I know this is not what you are used to reading but do indulge me a bit and let me tell you about my old shoes. Old Faithful I called them.

You see, unlike women, most men don't often own many pairs of shoes. For the average man, two or three pairs are just enough. There is the pair for work, the pair for church and other social gatherings and then there is the last pair for kick abouts. This particular pair is often loafers or sneakers (or as they are more popularly known in our part of the world, Camboo).

May I state here that their respective purposes or roles do interchange at the least notification.  For instance, the pair for church can easily be called upon to play the role of the work pair. This i have come to understand is a no no in the world of women. But with us guys, we are cool with this arrangement. The shoes don't mind at all.

So, back to my old shoes. They were black Italian made leather pair. They cost me quite a fortune when I was getting them some four years ago. I gritted my teeth knowing that the month ahead didn't look bright after buying them. But hell, I needed new pairs of shoes! 

The shoe buying decision for most men isn't an easy one to make. We often calculate the quantity of kenkey that money could purchase and wonder if we making a wise decision or not. But my shoes have been worth the Cedis I bought them with. When I first got them, they weren't exactly comfortable. But hell, I wasn't going to give up on them. I wore them till they fit. I silently bore the pain of injured toes and blisters on my heels until my feet and the shoes became properly acquainted.

Interviews
I cannot recall all the numerous times Old Faithful was called upon to add some flair to my attire for an impromptu interview. I am inclined to believe that each man's survival story is linked to his pair of shoes.

The presentations I have made to one panel or the other wearing the blessed shoes would fill a notebook. When the rejection letters came through the mail after one job search or the other,  you guessed right, I had Old Faithful on.

Life Events
Over the course of time that I owned the pair,  I was involved in several life events. When my great granny passed on and I had the honor of reading the eulogy on behalf of great grand children, it was my old pair of shoes which supported me and gave me the needed confidence to face the gathering. 

When I gathered my family members and crossed the Volta lake to ask for a certain lady's hand in marriage from her parents,  I had Old Faithful on. I must add that looking at the way proceedings went that day, I couldn't have asked for a better support system than my old pair of shoes. Indeed a man's stories are etched deeply in the slant of the heels on his shoes.

When I emceed the wedding reception of Fanny Awuye's younger sister (yep, same sister she wouldn't hook me up with), it was Old Faithful which ensured that I was on fleek (as the ladies say it). If Stella Querida bothered to look down at me feet at her wedding, she would have noticed me and my shoes in pomp attendance.

Oh, the miles we have trodden together! From trips to Osu ( don't ask me for what), to Frafraha to chase some girl bi at a university there. When the bank job came calling and I had to go pick up my appointment,  we went together. And by this time, it needed some trips to the area shoemaker to make it 'wearable'. But the kind of leather it was made of ensured that it bounced back soon for the next appearance I needed to make.

But with everything,  the time has come to retire my shoes. I am not ashamed of what it has become. I am proud of all we have achieved together. The places we have gone as a team. Our successes and failures. Now I have new pairs,  and yes, they are for different occasions. Lord knows what new experiences await us.

If you want to know the story of a man, ask him about his shoes.

Thursday 14 May 2015

Real Call or Missed Call?

Dear Mr/Miss HipLife/Highlife musician who has been called,

It is indeed a joyous affair when someone of your "profession" gives his/her life to Christ (that is if it hadn't already belonged to him to begin with) and further decides  to lead others to his saving knowledge.

Because I am most often not present when that heavenly call is received (here I sincerely pray it wasn't a wrong number thing), I won't go into its verification.  But rather I will stick to the message I have for you.

When God calls someone for his work, he equips them too. He gives them the necessary information and connections they require to get the assignment done. One of such equipping, is Training.

You see, God's work is real hard work. It involves lots of letting go and sacrifices.  Someone one like you will have to develop the discipline to stay away from the groupies and booty calls. Good bye to all the wild parties and the fancy dressing and lifestyle.  All these require training and a lot of discipline to stick to the plot.

So, here is what I say. If you ever receive any such heavenly call or you came to see a heavenly missed call, please,  DON'T immediately start a church! You see, God doesn't need your hitherto popularity to promote his work.  Starting a church immediately you receive a call from heaven can be likened to building a house from the roof!

How about going to a Bible School or at least understudying an established preacher? All these will help shape your vision clearly and teach you the rudiments of your calling. You will equally receive training in how to deal with the temptations from your past and also those ahead to come.

Riding on your popularity to immediately start a church and hoping it should sell the word of your calling is a no no. Sooner than later, you will run out of steam and ideas. And a return to your former lifestyle will be the most tempting option.

Anyways, let me end here by saying you really don't need a microphone to propagate the word of God. We are admonished to let our lights shine wherever and whatever profession we find ourselves.  So, go on, sing your love songs alright. Just let your life and what comes out of you be pleasing unto the Lord and he will take care of the rest.

On that note, let me welcome [back] Mr All4Real if what I hear about his return to Highlife music is true. Dude was our last standing HighLife musician until he got called. I must say I miss his tunes.

Yours sincerely,

Prosper Afuti,
(The disappointed priest)

Tuesday 12 August 2014

My Daily Trotro Ritual


Yet another morning again; after tugging down this hilly street
on that dusty road which makes you brush your shoes first opportunity you get,
I finally reach the Trotro station to the shouts of "Lapaz, Lapaz, Lapaz, last two"
from the mate with the blackened skin like he just woke up from the oven of the 
Fante baker up the street whose name it appears I am cursed never to remember
But I digress, back to the driver's mate and his shouts which he doesn't look happy doing though


Soon it is full, but we can't find the driver; hisses and sighs reign in the bus
the mate can't tell as the passengers continue to yell; hmm, today the driver will see hell
Aaah, there he is! We see him walking hurriedly to the bus as he tries to zip up his trouser in an attempt to tuck away his exposed manhood; smiles and shy looks abound at this sight.
The female passengers try to hide their excitement at this but the glint in their eyes give them away
Needlessly, driver says "Me pa wo kyɛw...in an attempt at an apology.
Soon we are on our way & the mate does the traditional "yes" indicating that all should bring forth the fare. He hurriedly announces that he doesn't have change since this is their first trip of the day;
Anyone who brings out bigger denominations is met with a stare but well, we just don't care!


This morning, my fellow passengers are a mix of sex, and occupation; 
I have had days I was the only male
The passenger to my right is a young lady; she keeps stealing glances at me; 
It must surely be the new perfume I am wearing today doing the trick
But hey, no Trotro romance here; my mouth P.O.P will not let me dare
The balding middle-aged man seems upset with someone on the phone
He keeps yelling on top of his voice forgetting he was in public
I pity whosoever is on the other end of that line; he might just get a beating today
As if the baby crying right behind on the next seat and who won't be pacified by the luscious breasts of his mother isn't making enough noise, the driver has just turned on the radio and the volume is enough to add to the din in here;
With their exaggerated storytelling which they pass for news, the newscaster of the Twi radio station bleats out loudly more bad news about the government. Hmmm, poor JM


Won't those sitting by the young Lil' Wayne wannabe tell him that we have enough on our minds to have him do his own version of Lollipop? And he is listening to it over a fake Chinese Beatz by Daddy Lumba headset;
At least, shut up and listen to it alone!!
Wow!! the lady in front of me is showing her waist beads as she gets down at her stop; her T-shirt is too short to cover it! I guess it is time for the men to also have curved smiles on their faces today
 
Someone keeps coughing badly from the back; I say a silent prayer not to catch any germs
Oh dear, the elderly woman who sat behind the mate will certainly need stitches on skirt
Another sad victim of a sharp metallic end of a seat ripping through the hem 
And why does the dude to my left keep looking over the shoulders of the young man in the seat in front?
Seems he wants to read whatever the man is typing on Whatsapp


Dear diary, I am at Lapaz now, I have to get down and cross this street
Ooops! I almost forgot my change!! hmmm, it is a typical day in my daily ritual of Trotro


To all members of Trotro Diaries page on Facebook

Thursday 24 July 2014

Aphrodisiac use among the youth: a worrying trend


Last weekend, whilst still recovering from the rather disgraceful end to the Black Stars' World Cup dream, I walked into a pharmacy to pick up some painkillers . As I entered the pharmacy, I chanced upon a group of young men in their late 20s and mid 30s at the counter. I picked up bits of their interaction with the attendant at the pharmacy and watched as they gleefully talked about the "drug" they were purchasing. 
 
Something about the interaction got the group to burst into bouts of laughter. Whilst still standing there waiting for my turn to be served, I heard one of them tell the rest in Twi, "aduro wei b3ma wu ako 3 rounds straight". To wit, "this drug will make you perform 3 rounds of sex at a go". This comment gave the young men away about the drug they were buying. Aphrodisiacs.
 
I smiled as I wondered why strong and energetic young men needed aphrodisiacs at their ages to please their women. Anyways, no sooner than that, it was my turn and I could not help but inquire a bit more about aphrodisiac use among young people which I later found out is on the increase lately.

USERS
According to the attendant, Elsie, their clientele base is made up largely of young people between the ages 25 and 38 years just like the group I met. She also intimated that most purchases are made on Fridays leading into the weekends. She however indicated that they have had much younger people walk in to buy aphrodisiacs. Most of their customers were males but they also encounter females once in awhile. A normal male adult is at his sexual prime between these years and should be able to perform at 'full capacity" without the aids of any stimulants or aphrodisiacs. So I found it a bit unusual the increasing numbers of males who are turning into sexual enhancing drugs for "stamina" and "vim" to perform. Are we looking at a society of randy young people who are now exploring all avenues to experiment with their sexual prowess? What could be accounting for this sudden surge for aphrodisiacs?

TYPES
I also found out that there were various types of aphrodisiacs; to think that I never noticed them in all of my previous visits to the pharmacy shop, beats me. There they were with fantastic names and colourful pictures of virile men and women with some intimate parts displayed on their boxes. Stone, one such aphrodisiac, promises a three hour erection to any one who dared to use it. I am told this particular one is quite popular among patrons. Black Diamond is another one which promises the same blissful time of pleasure. Spanish Fly, I hear, can turn the heads of the most reluctant lady if administered in drinks and other such medium. This sent shivers down my spine as I wondered how many ladies may have fallen to unscrupulous persons who gave them drinks laced with it.

Most of these products especially those at the pharmacies and drug stores are from destinations unknown; there are often no clearly stated country of origins on the packaging. Some are also known to be from China.  It is thus difficult to confirm their safety for use. There are no indications they have undergone any quality check with the appropriate regulatory bodies such as the Ghana Standards Authority, and the Food and Drugs Authority.

But then, aphrodisiacs are not limited to the foreign ones. These days, it is a common sight to see table top herbal medicine stands with their sales persons championing one herbal concoction or the other which they claim will make a man "go on long journey". These stands usually have carvings of the male phallus displayed as main attractions. I am informed they are very well patronized. Sometimes, sellers of such local aphrodisiacs board public transport and display their potent wares.
Television and radio ads are not spared as viewers and listeners are bombarded each day even during prime time with one advert of local liquor which allegedly also have aphrodisiac qualities. It appears to be the marketing norm lately to tag liquor with the aphrodisiac potency to boost sales  and patronage.

RISKS
Aphrodisiac use does come with some risks as pointed out to me by the pharmacy attendant who was blushing at this point. I was shocked to hear of tales of men being dashed to the emergency rooms with a long term erection a condition known in medical terms as Priapism. There are also stories of some who died after long hours of "enhanced" sex bouts. For those who lived to tell the stories, long use of such enhancement drugs finally results in infertility and sexual dysfunction. The lost of valuable human resources through such avoidable and preventable deaths is one which cannot be quantified. 

I believe we should be worried about the proliferation of such drugs on our market especially when no proper checks about their safety have been carried out. Of concern to us as a society also, should be on the reasons why young people especially the men, are going in for aphrodisiacs as a means of boosting and showing off their virility. The advertising of local liquor as an aphrodisiac must also be checked since it can promote excessive alcohol intake and encourage inappropriate behavior especially among young people.

Stunned by the revelations from the pharmacy attendant,  I walked out without picking up my drugs with a worried look on my face as I wondered what a horny society we are gradually becoming.